CLOVERLINE
Inside this Edition
Program Announcements 1-2
Upcoming Events & Opps 3-6
4-H Happenings..........................6-7
Upcoming Dates
March 15 PA 4-H Leaders Forum, University Park
Mar 16-22 PA 4-H Week/Chester County Window Display Contest
Mar 17-21 Ag Literacy Week
March 20 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Award Proposals to Chester County 4-H for Review
March 22 4-H Camp Counselor Training
March 31 ZSuite Re-Enrollment Deadline for All Returning 4-H Members
April 1 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Awards Proposals
April 3 Penn State Extension Annual Conference – Extension Office Closed
April 21 Paper Clover Campaign Begins
April TBD Pig Selection, Chester County 4-H Center
May 3 Springton Manor Sheep and Wool Day
Sometimes emails get missed!
Volunteers, parents, and members are encouraged to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay current on all upcoming opportunities and deadlines. Check updates on ZSuite too!
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attention, 4-H families! If you have not already done so, please reenroll your children in ZSuite ASAP. The deadline for returning 4-H members to reenroll is March 31st! This is a Pennsylvania 4-H rule. Members MUST be enrolled and in the “Active” status before participating in 4-H club meetings and events. Instructions for reenrolling are available here. Need help reenrolling? Contact the Penn State Extension Chester County Office for assistance at 610-696-3500 or ChesterExt@psu.edu.
Invite your friends to join in the fun!
The 2025 fair dates are August 4-9, 2025. The full schedule is set to be released on June 1st. Use this time to talk to your club leader about project requirements!
Pennsylvania 4-H Week will be March 16-22, 2025!
Welcome to Our New 4-H Program Assistant!
Bo Holobovich is the new 4-H Program Assistant for Chester County. They are helping cover after school programs and the embryology program.
Bo is a student at West Chester University with a major in Media and Culture and a minor in Creative Writing. They have been working with kids for six years and are a lead teacher at a summer camp in Delaware County.
Paper Clover Campaign
The National 4-H Paper Clover campaign will run from April 21 to May 5, 2025.
Chester County Teen Talk Line
Have you heard about the Teen Talk Line in Chester County?
Teen Talk Line is a peer support line which teens can call or text to chat about whatever is on their mind.
This is a free resource available to all teens of Chester County!
Donate to Chester County 4-H
Chester County has several options for giving to support the program. If you are interested in making a donation to the program it can be done at raise.psu.edu/ Chester4HFund
If your company offers employee matching or donation for you service time, please contact us for more details.
610-696-3500 | ChesterExt@psu.edu
Clover Awards
Now is the time to start working on your Clover Awards. The Clover Award program is open to ALL Chester County 4-H members.
The Purpose: To encourage 4-H members to engage in a variety of projects and activities, in addition to enabling members to acquire the seven Leadership Life Skills –Communicating, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Getting Along with Others, Learning to Learn, Managing, Understanding Self, and Working in Groups.
Background: The Pennsylvania State 4-H Clover Award program encompasses the progression of leadership skill development in 4-H members as they grow in the 4-H program. The application can be found in our Clover Awards Cloverlink folder.
If you have any questions, please contact Toni Stuetz at 610-696-3500 or tmm113@psu.edu.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
4-H State Shooting Sports Competitions
Dates: Saturday, April 26, 2025 (times vary)
Location: Ag Progress Days Site - 2710 Pine Grove Rd, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865
Registration Deadline: April 7, 2025
• Shotgun, Small-Bore Rife, Muzzleloader Contest
• Archery
• Air Pistol
• Air Rifle
Cost: $40 per youth participant per contest; no charge for educators, chaperones, or instructors
What to Expect: 4-H members will have the opportunity to compete at the state level in six disciplines: Air Pistol, Air Rifle, Archery, Muzzleloader, Riflery, and Shotgun. The contests are designed to challenge a 4-H member's skill and knowledge and to recognize demonstrated abilities, marksmanship, and concentration.
The Air Pistol contest will be held from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
The Air Rifle contest will take place from noon until complete. The Archery contest will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Youth may participate in BOTH Air Rifle and Air Pistol if they are enrolled in both projects. Due to the timing of events, members participating in the archery discipline may only compete in the archery contest.
National 4-H Essay Contest
The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees sponsors an annual national 4-H essay contest. The top three prize-winning essays will receive cash awards, and their essays will be published in the American Beekeeping Federation’s magazine.
The topic for this year's contest is The Importance of Youth in Beekeeping: How 4-H Members Can Make a Difference! For this essay, a 4-Her should answer these questions: Why youth is important in beekeeping? How can 4-H members make a difference? How can more young people be involved in beekeeping? What are your future plans as a beekeeper? What is a major contribution a young beekeeper has brought to the industry? Contest rules and essay requirements can be found here: https:// preservationofhoneybees.org/essays/
Essays will be judged at the state level, and the highestscoring essay will be forwarded to the national competition. Interested 4-H members should submit their essays via email to Allison Ilgen at apb5616@psu.edu by April 1, 2025. Participants will be notified of the status of their submission by the State 4-H Office by April 30. The foundation will announce national winners on June 15.
Engineering Design
Do you enjoy creating things? Or figuring out how things work? Or building things?
Join us for the 2025 Engineering Design Challenge. This is a virtual contest with the option of building and being part of a Chester County team. The challenge includes designing and building a “Rube Goldberg” style machine to solve a challenge. Full contest rules will be released on Pi Day, March 14th. Check our social media or contact Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu after PI Day for details.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Regional 4-H Fashion and Textile Revue
The Regional 4-H Fashion and Textile Revue is a contest opportunity for 4-H members, ages 8 to18 as of January 1, 2025, to exhibit their clothing and other textile projects. The event will take place on Monday, July 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Penn State Berks Campus, 1800 Broadcasting Rd, Reading, PA 19610. More details will be shared through the sewing club leaders. Feel free to contact Toni at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500 for more details. Registration will be in ZSuite this spring.
PA 4-H Animal Science Knowledge Contests
Knowledge contests will be held at Penn State’s University Park campus on two separate dates. Watch for registration in the early spring. Contests are open to youth, 10 and older. Seniors, 14 and older, can qualify for national competitions in many contests.
PA
4-H Bowl and Skillathon Day
May 31, 2025 - Contests include Avian Bowl, Canine Bowl and Skillathon, Dairy Bowl, Horse Bowl, Hippology, Livestock Skillathon, and Rabbit and Cavy Bowl and Skillathon.
PA 4-H Judging Contest Day
June 17, 2025 - Contests include Dairy Judging, Horse Judging, Poultry Judging, and Livestock Judging. Meat Judging is also scheduled for this date and location.
Springton Manor Annual Sheep + Wool Day
May 3, 2025 - 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (rain or shine) Springton Manor Farm, 860 Springton Rd, Glenmoore
Please join 4-H as we collaborate with Chester County Department of Parks & Preservation at the annual Sheep & Wool Day. 4-H clubs have a long standing tradition of being a part of this event. Clubs set up informative booths to share their project knowledge as well as promote the Chester County 4-H program. Please contact Audrey, at alr5762@psu.edu, if your club would like to participate in this busy, yet enjoyable day.
Team Horse Power
The Team Horse Power program continues to provide leadership opportunities for teens involved with the horse project. This program has been a great instrument for members who want to be actively involved as mentors and youth leaders in the 4-H horse program. Applications must be received by Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Applicants must be at least 14 years of age and have successfully completed Level 1 and 2 of the 4-H Horsemanship Skills Program. For more information about the program visit: https://bit.ly/3y3Tlup.
***Reminder - The 2025 State Dressage Championship Show will be held July 19th and 20th .
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Camp Shehaqua - July 7 to 11, 2025
Registration for Camp Shehaqua is OPEN! Space is filling up VERY quickly! Log in to ZSuite and get registered today! Registration is a TWO PART process. Please complete BOTH steps to secure your place at camp.
1) Add the Camp Shehaqua 2025 Club to your member profile. The project you will select is “Explore 4-H.”
2) Once you have added the club, you may then go to the Events section in ZSuite and register under the Camp Shehaqua event. This step MUST be completed in order to be registered for camp.
Contact Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500 if you have any questions.
The Candy Making Day Camp event should be live in ZSuite very soon. Please keep checking ZSuite and our Facebook and Instagram pages for when it’s time to register. This camp typically fills up very quickly!
2025 Animal Adventures Day Camp
Dates: July 7 11, 2025 (9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. daily)
Location: PSU Snider Agricultural Arena, State College
Registration Closes: June 23, 2025 in ZSuite
Cost: The cost to attend the event is $275. All fees can be paid by credit card at the time of registration within ZSuite or by mailing a check made payable to Penn State University to the contact listed in the ZSuite event. What to Expect: Hands-On on day camp for children ages 8-12 that will feature fun and engaging activities at the Snider Agriculture Arena and tours of the dairy, swine, equine, beef, and sheep barns. Kids will also get to tour the Penn State Creamery and eat ice cream from the Penn State dairy herd. Youth will learn about different poultry species and egg properties. Learn about dog safety and bring home an enriching toy for your dog. Kids will go home with a handmade craft that can be entered in their local fair. Please note that this is not a sleep away camp. Participants will need to be dropped off and picked up each day.
2025 PA 4-H Statewide Horse Camp
Dates: July 18, 2025 (4:00 p.m.) – July 20, 2025 (2:00 p.m.)
Location: Grange Fair Equine Park, Centre Hall, PA
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2025 in ZSuite
Cost: $200 per 4-H member (must be enrolled in ZSuite in a horse or horseless project); $80 per stall (required for any member bringing a horse); Free for adults
Camping: $105 flat fee per weekend
What to Expect: Hands-On Clinics & Workshops; Up to six sessions daily tailored to all skill levels, including novice, intermediate, and experienced riders
Special Topics Include: Showmanship, Equitation, Safe Handling, Emergency Vet Care, Equine Dentistry, Fitting & Clipping, Trailer Safety, and Horse Knowledge Contests
Live Demonstrations: Led by experienced professionals in the equine industry Exclusive Parent/Volunteer Only Workshops
More to Come!!!
Keep checking our Facebook and Instagram pages for details on a few more day camps! Topics may include:
several STEM day camps
printing day camp
equine opportunity
CLUB CORNER
4-H HAPPENINGS
Club Corner!
Please share your club meeting experiences with the Chester County 4-H Office! Email photos of projects, activities and guest speakers with a caption to ChesterExt@psu.edu and we will share it in this section of the newsletter!
Clover Rovers 4-H VEX Robotics Team
Congratulations to the Clover Rovers 4-H VEX Robotics Team for winning several local tournaments. Some notable wins include Sportsmanship Award, Skills Champion, Tournament Champions, and Amaze Awards. The team has qualified to compete in “Worlds” in Dallas later this spring. Great job to the team and all the parents that lead the club and coach them!
Livestock Birthing Lab
4-H Sewing News
Our two West Chester Sewing clubs continue to improve their skills each week and are busy creating some amazing projects!
Chester County 4-H animal science members were able to participate in this exciting opportunity! They used various clinical resources in the teaching laboratory, including a bovine simulator model. They learned about birthing and dystocia in sheep, goat, horse, and cattle species.
Eastern Bluebirds
The Southern Chester County 4-H Cloverbuds Club learned about the Bluebird, painted designs, and took turns constructing a bluebird box which will become part of their citizen science project!
Congratulations to our 2025 PA Farm Show Junior Show Exhibitors!
Lyla Engle: Showmanship III - 4th; Shropshire Yearling Ewe - 1st; Early Spring Ewe Lamb - 1st
Kaycee Engle: Showmanship II - 3rd; Shropshire Yearling Ewe - 2nd, 3rd
Emma Uhlman: Crossbred Swine/Class 1 - 3rd, Crossbred/ Market Beef-Weight Division 5 - 2nd
Sarah Uhlman: Crossbred Swine/Class 16 - 4th
Brianna Bulfaro: Showmanship Division III - 2nd; Hampshire Late Spring Ewe - 4th
Abigail Bulfaro: Showmanship Division I - 9th; Hampshire Late Spring Ewe - 3rd
2024-2025 Calendar of Events*
March 12-16 Ignite Conference, Washington, DC
March 15 PA 4-H Leaders Forum, University Park
March 16-22 Pennsylvania 4-H Week / Chester County Window Display Contest
March 17-21 Ag Literacy Week
March 20 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Award Proposals to Chester County 4-H for Review
March 22 4-H Camp Counselor Training
March 31 ZSuite Re-Enrollment Deadline for all Returning 4-H Youth Members
April 1 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Awards Proposals
April 3 Penn State Extension Annual Conference – Extension Office Closed
April 21 Paper Clover Campaign Begins
April TBD Pig Selection, Chester County 4-H Center
May 3 Springton Manor Sheep and Wool Day
May 5 Paper Clover Campaign Ends
May 9-10 Chester County Dairy Weekend, Chester County 4-H Center
May 16-18 Animal Science Camps, Penn State University Park Campus
May 17 Champions Choice Lamb Camp, Chester County 4-H Center
May 26 Memorial Day - Extension Office Closed
May 30 Market Lamb/Kid Weigh-in and Tagging
May 31 PA 4-H State Horse Bowl and Hippology Contests – University Park Campus
June 1 PA State Horse, Dairy and Livestock Project Enrollment Deadline
June 12 Chester County Livestock Judging Contest, Romano 4-H Center, Honeybrook, PA
June 17 PA 4-H Animal Judging Contests, University Park Campus
June 18-20 PA 4-H Dressage Show and Horse Camp
June 19 Juneteenth – Extension Office Closed
June 28 Nottingham Country Fair, Nottingham County Park
June TBD Market Sheep/Goat Tagging, Romano 4-H Center, Honeybrook, PA
June TBD Chester County Summer Beef Show
June TBD Virtual Communication Contest entries due
June/July TBA State Council applications due
July 4 Independence Day - Extension Office Closed
July 7-11 4-H Camp Program - Camp Shehaqua - Hickory Run State Park
July 14 State Fashion Revue
July 29 Mandatory Fair Set-up for Beef, Sheep, Market Goat, and Swine Exhibitors, Romano 4-H Center, Honeybrook, PA
July TBD Fair Entry Forms Due
August 4-9 Chester County 4-H Fair, Honey Brook, PA
August 6 Chester County 4-H Livestock Sale
August 23 District Show, Montgomery County Farm, Home and 4-H Center
August TBD Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
September 1 Deadline for PA 4-H Diamond Clover Award Year 2 Final Submissions
September 1 Labor Day – Extension Office Closed
September 27 Romano 4-H Center Annual Auction and Fundraiser
September 27 Warwick Fall Festival, Warwick County Park
September 30 Clover Award applications deadline – due in the Chester County Extension office
September 30 Farm Credit award application deadline
Sept TBD PA Farm Show Jr Market Livestock deadline
Sept TBD PA 4-H SLC Jr Conference
*Dates, events, and locations are subject to change.
Chester County Penn State Extension 4-H Team
Toni M. Stuetz, 4-H Extension Educator
Audrey Reith ,4-H Extension Educator
Bo Holobovich, 4-H Program Assistant
ADDRESS
Kim Myers, Office Manager
Jen Cerimele, Administrative Support
Denine Chemnitz, Business Operations Manager
Amy Bradford, Client Relations Manager
Stay Connected
Penn State Extension, Chester County
601 Westtown Road, Suite 370
West Chester, PA 19382 WEBSITE
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h/counties/chester
WEBSITES TO REMEMBER
Chester County Penn State Extension
https://extension.psu.edu/chester-county
Chester County 4-H
4-H Enrollment System 4h.zsuite.org
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/chester
Pennsylvania 4-H
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h
4-H Mall Catalog http://shop4-h.org
Club Officer Training Modules
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h/members/officer-trainingmodules
Building a Safe Penn State - Reporting Child Abuse Training http://lrn.psu.edu/
E-Learning for 4-H Volunteers https://extension.psu.edu/4-h-volunteer-orientation
Reserve Romano 4-H Center of Chester County Romano4hcenter@gmail.com
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a non-formal educational youth-development program of the United States Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/ programs/4-h
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Chester County Extension Office at 610-696-3500 in advance of your participation or visit.
The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information, or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Email: oeoa@psu.edu, Tel 814-863-0471. © The Pennsylvania State University 2025